Service Director Children’s Quality & Improvement

Innovation. Community. Impact.

Barnsley is a place where ambition and innovation are transforming lives. As the only council to win both the LGC and MJ Council of the Year awards in the same year, we are nationally recognised for our relentless focus on improving life opportunities for our residents – and especially for our children and young people. Our strong commitment to the Barnsley 2030 vision is matched by that of our partners – right across the system.

This is a job which gives you room to think innovatively and creatively, but requires you to act with purpose and precision, translating our aspirations into practical programmes and projects that deliver positive change whilst ensuring statutory compliance.

It’s about a whole directorate – indeed, whole system – approach to improvement that will see you bringing teams together, working closely and collaboratively with colleagues and external partners, leading our response to the national reform agenda and strengthening the voice of children, young people and families.

You will have a deep understanding of statutory children’s services and track record of leading change and improvement, whilst your first class people skills will enable you to deftly navigate complex systems, develop enduring relationships and bring stakeholders together with common purpose.

Ready to make a lasting impact? Please visit the dedicated microsite below. Please note, in order to make an application, you will need to return to this page.

Visit the dedicated microsite now 

For a confidential discussion about the role please contact:

Sean Anderson
Email: sanderson@faerfield.co.uk
Tel:  0121 312 3755

Martin Tucker
Email: mtucker@faerfield.co.uk
Tel:  0121 312 3755

Indicative timetable:

Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 30 November 2025
Preliminary/Technical Interviews (via Teams): Monday 8 December 2025
Stakeholder and Final Interviews (in Barnsley): Friday 19 December 2025
(Dates may be subject to slight change)

Please let us know if there are any interview dates within the indicative timetable on which you are likely to be unavailable.

To apply:

To apply for this job please click on the Apply button below and fill out the requested information. When prompted, please submit your CV and a Supporting Statement of no more than 1000 words.

With your CV, please also provide the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will only be contacted if you reach the final stages, and we will not contact referees without your permission.

Your supporting statement should express why you are interested in this role and what experience you can bring to the organisation. The statement should tackle the specific requirements of the role; outlining examples and outcomes showing how you meet those requirements.